If you’ve been following what Steven Soderbergh’s been up to over the past few months, you’ll know that he was due to go into production on the Brad Pitt starring baseball movie, Moneyball, however the studio pulled the plug just days before it was due to go in front of the cameras and after a bit of a fuss, he left the project.
Although he’s been busy finishing off The Informant, many wondered what he’d be up to next now that his Moneyball adventure is over. Well it appears he’s planning to get into the ring to direct Knockout, a spy thriller that’s due to star mixed martial arts superstar, Gina Carano.
Despite the title and star, Variety is reporting that the film is more La Femme Nikita than Million Dollar Baby, with Soderbergh considering the movie a flat-out action film in the mold of James Bond. As for the plot, all that’s known so far is that it’ll involve a woman from the wrong side of the tracks who is given a second chance to use her skills, and that it’ll involve filming all over the world, including Ireland, Turkey and the US.
To make it a bit more commercial, apparently the supporting roles will be filled out with name actors, with the makers not feeling Carano’s name is enough to sell Knockout. However her fighting skills and record are unquestioned, so if she can act, she could become that elusive entity – a full-on female action star.
In an interesting movie, Soderbergh has waived any upfront payment, preferring instead to take part-ownership of the movie and share in any money that it makes. Although it’s a risk for him, with much of the trouble on Moneyball coming down to money, this seems to be a way for Sodebergh to help control the budget and give the studio (Relativity) a bit more confidence, while potentially making him an awful lot of money if the film becomes a hit.
Knockout is due to start filming next February, so let’s hope this one doesn’t fall apart as well.